The YMCA Seahorse Swim Team offers training and practice groups for swimmers of all ages and ability levels. It is the goal of the YMCA Seahorse Swim Team to offer age specific training for all of our athletes geared towards challenging each individual and developing each individual to the best of THEIR abilities.

Please call us at 828-324-2858 to schedule a tryout, or Click Here to send us an email request for more information.

YMCA SEAHORSE SWIM TEAM STRUCTURE

The YSST swimming program is structured into several different practice groups in order to provide quality instruction and maximum development for each individual team member. Swimmers are placed in practice groups based on ability, commitment level, age and peer group.

YMCA “Learn-to-Swim” Program

The “Learn-to-Swim” program offers instruction in swimming on the beginning level for those not yet ready for the competitive team. This is an excellent opportunity for providing a stepping stone to help children progress from lessons to the first level of the swim team. A current swim lesson schedule can be obtained by calling the Hickory Foundation YMCA @ (828) 324-2858 or the Conover YMCA @ (828) 464-6130.

Bronze Group

This group is comprised primarily of novice level swimmers ranging in age from 5-9 years of age. Emphasis is placed on developing correct stroke technique in the four competitive strokes along with practice on starts and turns. These fundamentals are taught by means of drills and games to create a fun learning environment. Two to three practices per week are recommended for this group.

Silver Group

Swimmers in this group range in age from 8-12 years. Practice for these swimmers provides an equal mix of stroke technique and endurance training. The focus of this group is to begin conditioning while maintaining proper stroke mechanics. Three to four practices per week are recommended.

Silver Plus Group

This group was created to help with the transition from Silver group to Gold group. Swimmers range in age from 10 to 18 years old. An equal mix of stroke technique and endurance training is offered with more practice time to aid in the transition of the overall team structure. Three to four practices per week are recommended.

Gold Group

This group gives more advanced age group swimmers the opportunity to attend more practices and increase their endurance training. Swimmers range in age from 9 to 14 years old. This group still emphasizes stroke technique, but with more dedicated conditioning. Five to six practices per week are recommended.

Senior Group

The Senior Group is the highest level of the YSST program. Participants are 13 years and older. These committed swimmers dedicate themselves to serious training. Goals of this group are to achieve success on the state, regional and national levels of competition.